A Scottish Government scheme offering half-price ScotRail tickets applied for less than 1% of fares, according to new data.

The flagship programme, announced shortly after the nationalisation of the rail operator, was announced as part of a package to tackle the cost of living crisis by transport minister Jenny Gilruth in April.

Under the offer, tickets could be booked on certain journeys for around half the price of standard fares as long as outward travel was completed between May 9 and May 30 and a return by June 30.

However, a freedom of information request by Scottish Labour found just 0.88% of tickets purchased during that period were eligible for the discount – meaning more than a million trips remained at full price.

Opponents branded the scheme “farcical” but transport chiefs said the offer was simply the first of “many” to be introduced after the brand was nationalised earlier this year.

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